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On the Clinton Africa trip, it was a healthy mix of foreign policy and politics overall. The international media tried to trap her by headlining the exchange with a Congolese student, but this effort to hype a minor side show is really a reflection of the media's lack of interest in substance - including the substance of US-African relations.

Had the traveling press been more attentive, it would have headlined her reply to the Congolese questioner who asked her whether the US was giving aid out of "pity" for conditions there: "I will be very honest with you -- we don't need to do any of this," adding that other countries appreciate US assistance.

Now, that's a headline to savor and think about! Overall, a demanding itinerary, some tough accounts and relationships, a useful mix of 'tough love' (is that the real doctrine?) and relationship building.

One wishes we could stop talking about South Africa as this great anchor of strength and stability that is going to help us fix other African countries. South Africa has a lot to fix right at home. So does the US. Yes, Clinton used some optimistic phrases to describe how the US is doing in foreign policy. Is this because she has an optimistic view of human nature, as implied in the WSJ piece? Maybe it's just because she knows that if she doesn't believe in what she is doing, who will? It's a habit familiar to anyone who has ever held a position of responsibility.

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